Springfield, IL—This week will mark one year since President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans officially launched an attack on working families through the regressive “One Big Beautiful Bill.” With its signing into law, the largest-ever cuts to social safety net programs were enacted, only to give tax breaks for the ultrawealthy. Since then, MAGA has robbed Illinoisans of their health insurance, taken food off the table, and killed good-paying jobs. For the past year, Illinois families have had to bear the brunt of Trump’s disregard for their quality of life and targeted political games—on top of rising prices and economic uncertainty caused by his tariffs, inflation, and war in Iran.
In contrast, Illinois Democrats passed the state’s eighth consecutive balanced budget that prioritizes affordability. The FY27 budget provides nearly $100 million to help families afford groceries, over $500 million to lower the cost of housing, and $5 million for medical debt relief.
“One year later, we’re living exactly what Democrats fought against from the start: the Big Ugly Budget is an attack on working families,” said DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez. “Across Illinois, families are either paying more for health care and groceries or losing access entirely because of cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. Republican Representatives Mike Bost, Darin LaHood and Mary Miller should be ashamed for betraying their constituents by passing this disastrous billionaire-first budget. Here in Illinois, Democrats led by example and passed another balanced budget that prioritizes affordability. We will keep fighting to make life better for families.”
“One year ago, Donald Trump decided to let kids go hungry and kick poor people off their health insurance in order to secure tax breaks for his rich friends,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This Big Ugly Bill is just a preview of the heartless agenda Darren Bailey and Illinois Republicans will unleash if they win power in November.”
“Traveling across Illinois, I’ve heard about people whose lives have been devastated by Trump’s heartless law,” said lieutenant governor candidate Christian Mitchell. “Moms are terrified their kids will go hungry after SNAP cuts and families are rationing medicine because Trump gutted the healthcare coverage they counted on. In the year since the passing of Trump’s Big Ugly Bill, JB has marshaled the levers of state government to cushion the blow from Republican cruelty. I’m proud to run with a leader who believes in lifting families up — not tearing them down.”
Illinois’ working families are paying the price for Republicans’ Big Ugly Budget in tangible, everyday ways:
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201,959 less people receiving food assistance with SNAP participation dropping by 11% compared to July 2025, and an estimated 360,000 to lose benefits
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Illinoisans are paying 26% more for ACA coverage with average monthly premiums of $328 per household compared to last year’s $260
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New SNAP work requirements put 120,000 Illinoisans’ benefits at risk, including 23,000 unhoused, veterans, and youth aged out of foster care
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SNAP cuts are taking business away from farmers, hurting local independent grocers, and burdening food pantries
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Over the next 10 years, Illinois will lose about $52 billion in Medicaid funds and put the coverage and benefits for all 3.4 million Illinoisans on Medicaid at risk
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On Tax Day, Illinoisans saw lower-than-promised refunds while billionaires and corporations enjoyed tax breaks
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Rural hospitals and nursing homes face closure and service cuts because of federal Medicaid cuts
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Effective this July 1st, new limits on Pell Grants and reduced limits on loans and repayment options will put students in harsher financial situations
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The rollback of residential solar tax credits makes solar ownership—which helps lower energy costs—much more costly for households and puts businesses and jobs at risks
